AI: Artificial Isekai

I bring the tired duo to my new favorite sandwich shop. After Nexen is halfway through his, and Erysis has finished two, they are lucid enough to talk.

Erysis lays her upper body down on the table and says in a muffled voice, "You just couldn't go easier on us, huh. Are you happy, Lucius?"

I suck some air through my teeth. "I train with you, show you the super-secret spot a legendary blacksmith told me about, treat you to lunch, and this is the thanks I get? You hurt me so, Erysis." I look away and fake a subdued sob.

She sighs, muffled again. "Fine. You are forgiven." Nexen is—unsuccessfully—trying to keep his meal in his mouth, finding our antics much too amusing.

I mime writing in the air. "Bribe Erysis with food. Noted." Nexen loses his hopeless fight, earning a weak poke to his side—the finishing touch.

"My sandwich... Also, true." Another poke.

"You heard about my illustrious escapades, how about you? Did you go on any missions yet?"

Erysis springs up almost instantly, her eyes are filled with vigor. "Yes. Joined a mission with another party. We cleaned up a bunch of far away and severely neglected dungeons, in the Atira mountain range. One was this close to breaking." Her fingers are touching, but I get the implication. "Thank the Goddess there are only low-grade dungeons there. We can handle those. Because it's fairly remote, not a lot of adventurers bother even going there. And the Guild only cares when it's too late. At least one party was doing the right thing."

Nexen nods. "Call themselves the Rangers. Been helping out for a couple of years now, really made a difference."

Erysis smiles. "They are great. I think we thinned out... What, five dungeons?"

Nexen corrects, "Six."

She continues, "Ah, right. There were three elemental ones. Six dungeons in two days. Too bad we couldn't conquer or destroy any, but there's always next time. We are going on another mission tomorrow. There are still some critical dungeons left to delve." She pauses and appears to consider something. "Would you like to join us, Lucius? We could really use the help. With you there we could even destroy some dungeons. Reduce the load for the Rangers. Help people sleep better at night."

Jackpot. "What did I tell you, just point me in the direction of some monsters. Will these Rangers be okay with it though?"

She answers, "Definitely." Then she realizes something. "Wait, what was that about a legendary blacksmith?"

Nexen snorts, and I order her another sandwich. "You sure you're gonna be good for tomorrow?"

"Keep the food coming and I'll be fine, Coin Purse."

I shake my head and indulge her curiosity, "The hall master recommended her. Crafted me a custom sword and leather armor. Pretty sweet ones too."

Nexen narrows his eyes at me. "Would her name happen to be Khirfin?"

I act mildly surprised at his exact guess. "Yeah, that's her. She famous or something? I was making a joke."

He slams his hands on the table, making our plates clatter. "You have to introduce me!" Erysis is unfazed by the display. He has probably been quite vocal about his admiration. He momentarily reins in his excitement and adds, "When I am looking for my next upgrade."

I simply extend my arm toward him. With unspoken understanding, we clasp hands.

"Honestly, if you left me for Lucius, I wouldn't even be surprised," Erysis says.

We chat some more, but eventually, I force them to go back home and properly rest. Both reluctantly agree, and we part ways.

***

The next day I arrive at the Guild and locate the two parties. Erysis and Nexen are sitting around a table, joined by three other people.

Miv and Pemik, brothers, thirty-four and thirty-two respectively, both are E-rank.

Miv has blond hair and piercing, ice blue eyes. He quickly senses my attention and smiles at me. Slight and playful, like a jewel on his sharp face. He is tall, a wiry frame concealing muscles of steel, a physique earned from many years of fighting. His hand is casually resting on the handle of a thin sword, more of a habit than a conscious decision. Always ready.

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His brother is almost a mirror image of him. Pemik's hair is a touch lighter, nearing a radiant white. He has at least twenty kilograms on his brother. A dark bow is resting by his side. The wood is polished to a glossy surface. He throws an occasional glance at his sibling, another habit. They've had only each other for a long time. On the battlefield or anywhere else, Pemik always watches out for his sole family.

They lost their parents twenty-five years ago. An A-grade Dungeon Break. So much devastation... I sigh internally, letting out some pressure. Focus. They've been bouncing around after that, never really settling anywhere. This city is just an extended stop in an unceasing pursuit.

And the final member of the Rangers, Sini. Also E-rank. She is thirty-five, has a daughter. Dark blue hair—her brown roots are slightly visible—and tired, brown eyes. Her posture is reserved, nearing defensive. She follows Miv's gaze and looks at me too. Hesitation flashes on her face, but she quickly quells it. Miv and Pemik recruited her upon first arriving to the city. She is—for lack of a better term—filler. That does not mean she is unimportant or replaceable, quite the contrary. Together, the three adventurers make a deadly squad. With a proven track record.

Miv enthusiastically waves at me, and I approach the gathering.

"Good morning, everyone. Hope I didn't keep you waiting."

Miv replies immediately, but Pemik and Sini both give me a nod and a polite smile, "Nonsense, young man. Sit, sit." He taps a chair next to him, and after I have taken a seat, continues, "Nex and Ery have been telling us all about you." Erysis slightly stiffens at the unprompted familiarity, no one notices but me. Nexen appears wholly indifferent. "My name is Miv, this is my little bro Pemik, and that, is our guiding beacon—Sini." Sini shrinks even more at the flattering descriptor. "We are so glad to have you join us." He closes his eyes and tilts his head at the ceiling, his expression filled with worry. "I hope that with another brave adventurer by our side, we can once again bring peace to the people that have only us to rely on."

I grin from his contagious energy. "Me too, sir."

He starts wildly waving, even this frenetic display appears graceful. "I will have none of that! If we are to work together, we shall be equals. Is that clear, Luci?"

I blush and coyly reply, "Okay, Miv." Erysis' left eyebrow almost kick-starts this world's first space program.

After nodding with a satisfied look on his face, Miv addresses everyone at the table, "Alright, people. I will go over the plan just so we are all on the same page. We will teleport to the village of Grayboulder. From there, we will delve eight dungeons. Our current goal is to thin them." Erysis momentarily exits her trance and prepares to interject, but he anticipates, and adds in a placating tone, "But that might change, let's see how we perform and go from there, okay?" She reluctantly relents, and Miv continues, "It will probably take at least two days, so I hope everyone is packed." He turns slightly to me and after I nod, resumes, "I know it's a little scary for our newest comrades to tackle so many dungeons one after the other, but I promise, you will be safe. We have faced many a dungeon alone. With you all, they stand no chance!" he caps out his inspiring speech with a reassuring declaration.

Pemik speaks up for the first time, "Brother, are you sure we can handle eight?" Sini does not say anything, but her incessant stare appears to echo the sentiment, and perhaps, something more.

"What do you think, Luci. Can we handle it?" A playful smirk adorns his beautiful face.

"Of course we can. Right, guys?" My question is directed at Erysis and Nexen.

Erysis is still making trajectory calculations, so Nexen takes over, "I believe we can."

Miv loudly claps his hands. "Marvelous. No need to delay, then. Unless anyone has any questions?" The ensuing silence prompts his next declaration, "Let us be off."

The Rangers take the lead as I subtly block my friends' advance. A quick side-eye at Nexen, and I am quickly rushing toward Miv.

As I catch up with the senior adventurer and his party, I see Nexen give a look at Erysis. Her previously dazed expression turns serious in an instant. A glance toward us turns it back to neutral. They swiftly catch up, and we exit the hall.

Sini crouches down, and a trickle of water materializes from her outstretched hands.

Miv motions for us to group up.

The water loops around us, making a perfect circle. I am not exaggerating, it's actually perfect. Sini closes her eyes and concentrates. The liquid hoop starts spinning, gaining luminescence—or the magical equivalent. After a moment, the scenery around us shifts and appears to flow away, like a fresh watercolor painting doused with water.

"World Stream."

The moment she speaks the words, everything snaps back into place, but the scenery has changed. We are no longer in front of the Guild Hall. Instead, we are standing in a modest stone square. The air is thinner and colder, almost crisp. Quaint houses surround the open space. Their relative shortness allows for an unobstructed view in all directions. The village is settled in a valley, tall peaks jut out in irregular intervals. They are covered in deep green trees. The sky is clear, not a single cloud can be seen darkening the idyllic backdrop.

People milling about give us a quick passing glance and go about their business. It's not like we materialized out of thin air or anything...

Miv recovers right away. "Welcome to Grayboulder, Luci." I quickly look around in wonder. "Sini, you are our boulder." He clenches a fist and looks at her resolutely. The compliment falls on deaf ears as she also looks around, nervously. "I shall be but a moment," with that said, he walks away briskly.

Pemik elaborates for my sake, "My brother will check in with the mayor. Make sure we don't stumble into any surprises out there."

There are some benches, and we make ourselves comfortable. Sini appears to momentarily relish in the rest.

I check in on her, "You okay, Sini?"

She twitches and looks at me with well concealed panic. Not well enough. "Oh, yes... Teleporting so many people this far away takes it out of me." She makes a fragile smile. "I will be fine before we get to the dungeon." I smile warmly back at her.

After around ten minutes, passed in idle chatter, Miv returns, and Sini seems to have recovered.

"Good news, team, nothing to report." Miv points in a direction. Presumably, the location of the first dungeon. "Onward, to adventure!"